Astronomers from the Tribhuvan University (TU) in Nepal, have discovered the destiny of a Compact Dwarf Galaxy (CDG). With the help of analyzing the available observational data, they have been investigated the properties of a compact dwarf galaxy designated SDSS J134313.15+364457.5 (or J1343+3644 for short). And they found that J1343+3644 will evolve into a compact elliptical galaxy.

Normally, dwarf galaxies are the most numerous in the universe when compared to other galaxies but are difficult to detect due to their low luminosity, small mass and small size.

J1343+3644 is a compact dwarf galaxy in the process of merging, at a redshift of approximately 0.02, with an r-band absolute magnitude of -19.17 mag. The galaxy has an overall fairly round shape and hosts an elongated low surface brightness tidal tail along the north direction.

Recently, Daya Nidhi Chhatkuli and his team of astronomers at Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal, have decided to inspect this galaxy in detail in order to explore its possible evolutionary scenario. Observational and theoretical evidence suggests that compact galaxies like J1343+3644 follow diverse evolutionary paths, often involving central starbursts or tidal stripping.

Daya Nidhi Chhatkuli and team said on paper, “Early-formed galaxies are notably more compact than those formed later, evident from the smaller sizes of high-redshift galaxies compared to their local counterparts, this raises intriguing questions about the formation and evolution of compact galaxies in the early universe, a significant mystery in modern cosmology”

According to the published research paper, J1343+3644 has a half-light radius of about1,570 light years, a neutral hydrogen mass of about 7.9 billion solar masses, and its star-formation rate is estimated to be at a level of 0.87 solar masses per year. So, J1343+3644 significantly smaller than other galaxies with the same brightness and appears to be the most compact early formed galaxy.

Similarly, it was observed that the star-formation activity in J1343+3644 is recent and has a notable portion of the old stellar population. The astronomers suppose that the merger with a satellite galaxy has contributed to the old stellar population and eventually perturbed the primary gaseous disk, leading to a burst of star formation at the center of J1343+3644.

The color profile revealed that the inner part of J1343+3644 is significantly bluer than its outer tidal tail. This difference in color suggests that J1343+3644 may have accreted a non-star-forming dwarf galaxy.

Based on the obtained results, Scientists conclude that when the cessation of star formation occurs in J1343+3644, which is usually expected over a timescale of several hundred million years, the system will most likely evolve into a compact elliptical galaxy.

Read the completed research paper here a team lead by Daya Nidhi Chhatkuli